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ARMM-MNLF parARMM-MNLF parARMM-MNLF parARMM-MNLF parARMM-MNLF partnership forgedtnership forgedtnership forgedtnership forgedtnership forgedThe Moro NationalLiberation Front led byfounding chairman NurMisuari and theAutonomous Region inMuslim Mindanao headedby caretaker-GovernorMujiv Hataman forgedWednesday night apartnership in theimplementation of peaceand development initiativesin MNLF areas withinARMM that would improvethe living condition ofmembers of the former rebelgroup.

 Misuari and Hatamanthrough their respectivelegal counsels - lawyersRandolph Parcasio andAnwar Malang – sealed the

partnership through amemorandum of agreementsigned at about 9:00p.m. at theRegency Crown Hotel in MakatiCity Wednesday night.

Hataman said the MOAsigning was pursuant to theunderstanding by the MNLF,the Philippine government andthe Organization of IslamicCooperation (OIC) reached onJune 22, 2011 in Central Java,Indonesia.

“The primary purpose of theTripartite Process with the OICand MNLF is to monitor andensure full implementation ofthe 1996 Final Peace Agreement.It does not in any instancereopen negotiations which werecompleted in 1996 as clearly

ARMM-MNLF partnership.  Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding Chair Nur Misuari (right) Autonomous Region inMuslim Mindanao (ARMM) caretaker-Governor Mujiv S. Hataman (left) look on as their respective legal counsels – RandolphParcasio and Anwar Malang – sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) forging an MNLF-ARMM  partnership on peace-buildingand development projects implementation in rural communities of the autonomous region inhabited by members of formerrebel group, during a formal ceremony at the Crown Regency Hotel in Makati City Wednesday night. (Mark Navales)

ARMM/P6

TWGs on wealth, power sharingand normalization take center

stage in KL peace talks

TWGs/P3

After the historic signing ofthe Framework Agreementon the Bangsamoro (FAB)last month, the governmentand the Moro IslamicLiberation Front (MILF)resumed formal talks inKuala Lumpur, MalaysiaMonday with the TechnicalWorking Groups (TWG)from both sides taking thecenter stage to craft theannexes on power-sharing,wealth-sharing andnormalization.

Government chief

negotiator Marvic Leonen setthe tone of the talks in hisopening statement when heunderscored the overwhelmingglobal acceptance of the signingof the FAB in Malacanang lastOct. 15 in the presence ofPresident Benigno S. Aquino IIIand Malaysian Prime MinisterNajib Tun Razak.

“The local, national andinternational acceptance of theFramework Agreement on theBangsamoro is far moreeloquent than any words that I

BUDDING CRAFT- A young girl still in her school uniform weaves amat made out of a local palm tree hoping to finish it early and sell toearn some cash for her family. Mat weaving has been a craft mostlypracticed by women in Maguindanao, if made to improved on itsquality and design could contribute to a better source of income forrural families in the province. (MARK NAVALES/MBA)

SEPTEMBER 21, 2012SEPTEMBER 21, 2012SEPTEMBER 21, 2012SEPTEMBER 21, 2012SEPTEMBER 21, 2012NEWSNEWS222222 REGIONAL NEWS NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Courtesy Call - Officials of the Autonomous Regional Government welcome the delegation of the United Nations Office for theCoordination of Humanitarian Affairs  (UN-OCHA) led by Geneva Director Rashid Khalikov (5th-R) during a courtesy call to ARMMOIC Governor Mujiv Hataman on November 7, 2012. Other members of the delegations are Mr. Pierre Bessuges,Chief EmergencyPreparedness Section (2nd-R); Mr. David Carden (4th-L), Head of UN-OCHA, Phils.; Ms. Justyna Susla (4th-R), Special Asst. tothe Director; Mr. Muktar Farah (3rd-R), Head of UN-OCHA Cotabato and Iligan sub-offices and Humanitarian Affairs Analyst Ms.Melindi Malang (extreme-L). Among the ARMM officials are ORG Chief-of-Staff John Magno (5th-L); Retired Gen. Loreto Rirao(2nd-L) of the RDRRMC-ARMM; ORG-AMS Director Hja. Lydia Mastura (3rd-L) and ORG-ISS Director Abdulrashid Ladayo, Sr.(extreme-R). (armm commgroup)    

UN-OCHA Delegation Visits ARMMCotabato City—To gainunderstanding on capacitiesfor emergency preparednessand strengthen humanitarianoperations, officials of theUnited Nations Office for theCoordination ofHumanitarian Affairs led byUN-OCHA Geneva DirectorRashid Khalikov visited theautonomous governmenttoday November 7.

The UN- OCHADelegation is composed ofPierre Bessuges, Chief ofEmergency PreparednessSection; Justyna Susla,Special Assistant to theDirector; David Carden, Headof UN- OCHA Philippines; and

Muktar Farah, Head of UN-OCHA Cotabato and Iligansub-offices.

 Chief-of-Staff of theOffice of the RegionalGovernor John Magno saidthat UN-OCHA officialscommended the cooperationbetween and among variousline agencies of theAutonomous Region inMuslim Mindanao headed byOIC- Governor Mujiv S.Hataman, and non-governmental organizationsduring natural and man-madedisasters.

 “We appreciate thiscooperation. Rest assured thatwe are a close partner of the

regional government everystep of the way,” said Khalikov.

Regional Disaster RiskReduction ManagementCouncil Chair General LoretoRirao said the “UN-OCHA andother UN Systems here areactive participants to thevarious simulation drillsconducted by the DRRMC.”

Rirao said that theycrafted a DRRMC Plan thataddresses risk reductionduring catastrophes with aspecial focus on pre-disasterpreparation.

According to MuktarFarah, UN- OCHA would liketo work more on building theresilience of communities in

ARMM which are affected bywar and natural calamities.

With the signing of theBangsamoro FrameworkAgreement between theMoro Islamic LiberationFront (MILF) and thePhilippine Government onOctober 15, a newautonomous political entitynamed Bangsamoro will beestablished and could pavethe way for a more peacefulMindanao, the currentARMM leadership continuesto exhaust all its effort to ensurea smooth transition. (ARMMCommGroup)

Creation of inter-agency monitoring body on HR violationsCreation of inter-agency monitoring body on HR violationsCreation of inter-agency monitoring body on HR violationsCreation of inter-agency monitoring body on HR violationsCreation of inter-agency monitoring body on HR violationsunderscores gov’t’s commitment to peace, says Delesunderscores gov’t’s commitment to peace, says Delesunderscores gov’t’s commitment to peace, says Delesunderscores gov’t’s commitment to peace, says Delesunderscores gov’t’s commitment to peace, says Deles

Presidential Adviser on thePeace Process SecretaryTeresita Quintos Deles onThursday said theestablishment of an inter-agency monitoring body onhuman rights violationsallegedly committed bygovernment and communistrebels underscores theGovernment of the Philippines’(GPH) strong commitment tothe achievement of peace.

 “We have longrecognized that respect forhuman rights is anindispensable ingredient inestablishing and maintaininggenuine peace,” Deles said atthe signing of Terms of

Reference (TOR) of theComplaints MonitoringWorking Group (CMWG)held at the Astoria Plaza inPasig City on November 8.

 The CMWG is an inter-agency body tasked tomonitor alleged human rightsviolations of both the securityforces of the government andthe Communist Party of thePhilippines, the New People’sArmy and the NationalDemocratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF).

 The GPH MonitoringCommittee (MC), thegovernment component ofthe Joint MonitoringCommittee formed to monitor

compliance with theComprehensive Agreement onthe Respect for Human Rightsand InternationalHumanitarian Law(CARHRIHL), heads theCMWG with the Armed Forcesof the Philippines (AFP),Philippine National Police(PNP) and Department ofJustice (DOJ) as members.

Deles said the TORemphatically reaffirms thegovernment’s commitment touphold human rights andinternational humanitarian law.

“More than simple termsof reference, this document,and the inter-agencycooperation it defines,

embodies a loud and clearstatement of intent…that ourcommitment to human rightsand InternationalHumanitarian Law goes farbeyond mere policystatements and lip service andis premised on genuineaccountability and justice, foras we know, without justice,there can be no peace,” Delessaid.

The CMWG was createdto facilitate the investigationof violations of alleged human rights andIHLthrough cooperativeefforts among its memberagencies.

 Atty. Jaime Arroyo, head

of the GPH-MC Secretariat,stressed that the CMWGitself is not an investigativebody, but it will “refer [thevictims’ complaints] to officesof the government that aremandated to investigate and/or prosecute crimes” againsthuman rights laws.

Reiterating theadministration’s commitmentto peace talks with the NDF,Secretary Deles said, “Thegovernment stands ready toface challenges in pursuit ofpeace with the Communistrebels and their variousinstrumentalities.”

“Finding a peacefulsolution remains a highpriority considering that thearmed conflict between thegovernment and thecommunist NPA has lasted forover four decades and hasinflicted unimaginablesuffering on severalgenerations of Filipinos,

whether it is the governmenttroops, the rebels, or thecivilians who are oftencaught between them,” sheadded.

 Joining Secretary Delesat the TOR signing wereJustice Secretary Leila M. DeLima, AFP Provost MarshalGeneral Brig. Gen. HerbertYambing, Philippine NationalPolice (PNP) Directorate forCommunity RelationsDirector Lina Sarmiento,Political AffairsUndersecretary and GPH-MCChair Jose Luis MartinGascon and Commission onHuman Rights Chair LorettaAnn P. Rosales.

A the same event, theGPH-MC launched aninternet portal that enablespartner agencies, otherstakeholders, and victims ofhuman rights and IHLviolations to file theircomplaints online. ###

Maguindanao flash floodsdisplace 4,000 villagers

COTABATO CITY– About4,000 villagers living in lowlying barangays of SultanKudarat, Maguindanao wereawakened by rampaging floodwaters at 1 a.m. Monday whenthe Simuay River overfloweddue to heavy downpourovernight.

The flood waters whichreached neck-deep forced thevillagers to leave their homesto high grounds until the breakof dawn.

As a result of the overflow

of Simuay river, portions of theCotabato-Davao highwaywere closed beginning 2 a.m.as waist deep water reachedthe road network.

It was opened tomotorists at about 6 a.m.

The military were alsodeployed along the highwayto prevent conflict amongmotorists who have to beregulated as floodwater wouldrise quickly.

No one was reported

MAG/P3

Lake Sebu’s zip lineLake Sebu’s zip lineLake Sebu’s zip lineLake Sebu’s zip lineLake Sebu’s zip lineposts P3.48-M incomeposts P3.48-M incomeposts P3.48-M incomeposts P3.48-M incomeposts P3.48-M income

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -The popular zip lines of LakeSebu town in South Cotabatohas posted revenues of aroundP3.48 million in the last 10months as it continues to drawsubstantial visits from domesticand foreign tourists.

Rudy Jimenea, executiveassistant of the office of theprovincial governor of SouthCotabato, said the facility’searnings increased by 6 percentor close to P210,000 whencompared to last year’s totalincome for the period of aroundP3.2 million.

He said such revenuemainly came from the feescollected by Lake Sebu’s SevenFalls Eco-Tourism Projectmanagement office for the useof the area’s twin zip lines.

Citing records from theProvincial Tourism Office,Jimenea noted a rising trend interms of tourist arrivals at thesite from January to May thisyear.

“Tourist arrivals sloweddown from June to Octobermainly due to the rains but ourzip line collection still posted amodest increase,” he said.

Based on the zip line’srecorded income, the facilityhad attracted around 11,000users or tourists or 1,100 permonth from January to Octoberthis year.

Cesar Sulit Jr., SouthCotabato senior tourismoperations officer, noted thatthe seven falls and zip linepresently accommodate anaverage of 10,000 tourists everyquarter.

The local governmentcurrently charges P300 perperson for the zipline adventureduring weekdays and P400 forweekends and holidays.

The zip lines mainlyconnect three of the famedseven waterfalls of Lake Sebutown, which is considered asRegion 12 or the Soccsksargen

Region’s flagship eco-tourism destination.

The two zip lines featurea thrilling drop of about 740and 400 meters, respectively,that were considered asamong the highest in thecountry.

Aside from the zip lines,the area also offers outdooradventures such as trekking,camping, bird watching andnature tripping around theseven waterfalls.

Lake Sebu town, which isfamous for its three scenicnatural lakes — Lahit (24hectares), Seloton (48hectares) and Sebu (354hectares) — was earlieridentified as one of Region12’s priority areas for tourismdevelopment.

Aside from the threelakes, the town hosts at leastseven waterfalls, severalnatural springs andpreserved culturalcommunities of the town’sT’boli tribe.

Two years ago, theprovincial government ofSouth Cotabato launched aP100-million tourismdevelopment project fundedby the local government thatis mainly focused on thedevelopment of the roadnetworks and theestablishment of resortfacilities for the town’s sevenwaterfalls.

The area had beenadopted by the Brunei,Indonesia, Malaysia,Philippines-East AseanGrowth Area (BIMP-EAGA)as pilot area for its flagshipcommunity-based eco-tourism development project.

The four-year project,which is funded through agrant from the AsianDevelopment Bank, was setfor implementation startingthis year and until 2016.(PNA)

Turn-over of leadership of the6 th Infantry Division on Nov.7,2012 at Camp Siongco, Awang,DOS, Maguindanao. ArmyCommander LtGen. EmmanuelBautista who served as Guestof Honor & Speaker and officiallyturns over the command toMGen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo(Right) from Mgen. Rey Ardo(left) who eventually bedesignated as the newCommander of WesternMindanao Command based inZamboanga City.( Ella Dayawan/Harris Ma).

3PEOPLE AND EVENTSPEOPLE AND EVENTS 33333

SEPTEMBER 21, 2012SEPTEMBER 21, 2012SEPTEMBER 21, 2012SEPTEMBER 21, 2012SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

NOVEMBER 13, 2012

expressed in the TotalityClause of the FPA,” the Officeof the Presidential Adviser onPeace Process said in astatement.

 The Philippinegovernment and the MNLFagreed at the Jakarta tripartitemeeting to develop a“workable partnership atappropriate levels” to pursuereforms in the ARMM, theOPAPP said.

 The just-signed MOAprescribes for the MNLF tomake and submit proposedsocio-economic projects vitalto the welfare of its formercombatants and their familiesliving in ARMM areas, namelyBasilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi,Maguindanao and Lanao delSur and the cities of Marawiand Lamitan.

It mandates the ARMM toprocess within 20 days uponreceipt of the proposals andinforms the MNLF of itsapproval or disapproval 10days later.

 The office of the ARMMgovernor is mandated torecommend to concernedauthorities prompt funding ofthe proposals.

 The implementation ofprojects will be supervisedjointly by MNLF and ARMM

ARMM..technical people who wouldensure smooth and promptcompletion process, the MOAprescribed.

Hataman expressedprofuse elation over Misuari’sdecision to forge the MOAwith the ARMM governance,hoping that such processwould help appease the MNLFchairman and his armedfollowers from any form ofviolent protest against theforging last Oct. 15 of thegovernment’s frameworkagreement with the MoroIslamic Liberation Front. (AliG. Macabalang)  

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE DECEASEDJESUS MAGALSO DILLO A.K.A. RAFAEL D. NABRE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JESUS MAGALSODILLO A.K.A. RAFAEL D. NABRE, consisting of his share in thebalance of their Joint bank Account ( Account No. 306704200019)with Engr. Domingo L. Guarino, Jr. with the Philippine National Bank(PNB), Cotabato Branch, Cotabato Citywas extrajudicially settled anddistributed among his heirs by means of a public document executed onOctober 23. 2012, and ratified before Atty. JOSE EMILIO S.VALENTIN, Notary Public in and for the City of Cotabato andMaguindanao as per Doc. No. 332, Page No. 67, Book No. XLVI,Series of 2012 of his Notarial Register.

KOTEX Issue October 30 and November 6 and 13, 2012

can muster for today’sopening statement …”Leonen said. “Truly, we haveushered in an era of hope,peace, recovery and hopefullya better trajectory to be ableto realize genuine socialjustice in our country.”

Leonen said the work ofthe TWGs in threshing outthe annexes on power-sharing, wealth-sharing andnormalization would be easiergiven the positive receptionto the FAB. The annexes willbe part of the GPH-MILFComprehensive PeaceAgreement both partiesexpect to forge before the endof the year.

“Our work on the annexestakes place within thisumbrella of hope,” Leonenadded in his openingstatement.  ”I am certain thatboth of us will try to findsolutions in order to completethe ComprehensiveAgreement, preferably in thisround. All of us now are partof history, let us work togethersome more to make thathistory truly matter.

MILF negotiating panelchair Mohagher Iqbal alsoexpressed confidence that thetask of threshing out theannexes “rests on thetechnical working groups.”

“The spirit of compromiseis still very strong. I believewe can settle all the issues,”Iqbal said.

For his part, Malaysianfacilitator Tengku Dato’ GhafarTengku bin Mohamedcautioned both panels that“the world is watching” as heechoed the observation ofLeonen that the signing of theFAB generated massivepopular support from theinternational community.

The Philippinegovernment has said that theFAB sets the principles,processes and mechanismsfor the transition leading tothe replacement of theAutonomous Region inMuslim Mindanao (ARMM)with Bangsamoro, the newpolitical entity. 

Presidential Adviser onthe Peace Process TeresitaQuintos Deles had earlier saidthat the ongoing 33rd roundof talks in Kuala Lumpur wasexpected to be “difficult asboth parties will be fleshingout the annexes on power-

sharing, wealth-sharing andnormalization.”

During the openingceremonies, the members ofthe TWG were formallyintroduced by the panels. Onthe Philippine governmentside, members of the technicalworking group onnormalization (TWG-Normalization) were NationalSecurity Council DeputyDirector General andUndersecretary ZenaidaBrosas,  GPH panel seniormilitary adviser Brig. Gen. LeoCresente Ferrer, Office of thePresidential Adviser on thePeace Process (OPAPP)consultant Dr. Jennifer Oreta.   On the MILF members inthe TWG-Normalization areBangsamoro Islamic ArmedForces member MohammadHashif, former AutonomousRegion for Muslim Mindanao(ARMM) Executive SecretaryNaguib Sinarimbo and MILFCeasefire Committee chief SaidSheik. 

Joining in as governmentobservers in the normalizationgroup are OPAPPUndersecretary LuisitoMontalbo, Department ofInterior and Local Governmentrepresentative Jesus Doque,Department of Justicerepresentative ProsecutorSusan Dacanay and ArmedForces of the Philippines(AFP) representatives Lt. Col.Haroun Al-Rashid and Lt. Col.Francisco Felicidario III.

On the TWG-WealthSharing, the governmentmembers are NationalEconomic DevelopmentAuthority Regional DirectorMa. Lourdes Lim, Departmentof Finance Executive DirectorTeresita Rodriguez andDepartment of Environmentand Natural ResourcesAssistant Secretary AnselmoAbungan. The MILFrepresentatives are Dr.Benjamin Domato, Dr. MahidMacalingkang and ArchieBuayah.

The governmentrepresentatives in the TWG-Power Sharing are Upi,Maguindanao Mayor RamonPiang, OPAPP UndersecretaryJose Lorena and Office ofPolitical AffairsUndersecretary Chito Gascon.On the MILF side, therepresentatives are Dr. HabibMacaayong, Ustadz AnwarSirad and Prof. Ali Ayuib asmembers. #

TWGs..

peace initiatives and that isvery clear to all foot soldiersunder the 6th ID,” he said inFilipino.

He vowed to follow thesuggestions of Gen. Ardo toinclude all stakeholders in hisarea of jurisdiction to promotepeace and development,especially among Christiancommunities, Moro rebels andgovernment and nongovernment organizations.

Ordoyo also vowed toenforce the law to ensure thatthe forthcoming 2013elections in his area ofjurisdiction would be peacefulas the military will remainapolitical and never take sides.

This early, he urgedpolitical leaders to do awaywith the traditional practicesof running for politicalpositions in next year’sballoting.(PNA)

ARMY..

DSWD to implement P11-Manti-poverty projects in Sultan Kudarat

COTABATO CITY- TheDepartment of SocialWelfare and Development inCentral Mindanao will soonstart implementing an P11million worth ofinfrastructure project inIsulan, Sultan Kudarat underthe Kapit-Bisig Laban saKahirapan-ComprehensiveDelivery of Social Services(Kalahi-CIDSS).

DSWD-12 regionaldirector Bai Zorahayda Tahasaid that under the program,KALAHI-CIDSS wouldconstruct new classroombuildings in KenramElementary School andMapantig ElementarySchool, in barangaysKenram and Pamantig,respectively.

The project alsoincludes the construction ofAlternative Learning Centerfor out-of-school youth ofBarangay Laguilayan.

Taha said the projectwould also address the lackof potable drinking water inBarangay Bual with theconstruction of WaterSystem Project and WaterRefiling Station in BarangayD’Lotilla.

A satellite market will be

constructed in BarangayImpao to improve economicactivities in Barangay Impaoand nearby communities.

Residents of BarangayDansuli lauded DSWD with thecompletion of flood controlproject that reduced floodingin residential and farmingareas.

Barangay Dansuli sitsbeside the Allah River, whichhas been shallow due to siltand easily overflows evenduring light to moderatedownpour.

Farmers also lost cropswhen floodwater sweptthrough their rice fields.

A P2.6-million, 500-meterRiver flood Control Project wasconstructed to the residents’delight and relief.

The flood control projectwas prioritized through theMunicipal-Inter BarangayForum-(MIBF) ParticipatoryResource Allocation recentlyheld in Isulan.

Seven village officialspresented various projectproposal in seeking funds fromDSWD through the KALAHI-CIDSS Project.

Taha said that MIBF is aprocess to determine whichdevelopment projects would

be prioritized.She said DSWD did not

decide alone in determiningwhich projects would begiven priority. Otheragencies, the localgovernment units andDSWD field personnel formpart of the selection process.

Of all the projects inIsulan, P7.6 million comesfrom Kalahi-CIDSS grantwhile the remaining P3.5million were shouldered bythe municipal and barangaygovernment.

Taha said that thecommunity was involved inall the process, especiallyduring the planning andactual construction stage.

“They owned the projectso they will take care of it,”Taha said.

Isulan is one of the 17towns in Central Mindanaowhere Kalahi-CIDSS arebeing implemented.

Since 2003, theDepartment of Agriculturespent close to P551 millionon various projects in Region12, which is composed of theprovinces of Sultan Kudarat,North Cotabato, SouthCotabato and Saranggani.(PNA)

ARMM TXT Hotline LaunchedARMM TXT Hotline LaunchedARMM TXT Hotline LaunchedARMM TXT Hotline LaunchedARMM TXT Hotline LaunchedCotabato City— TheAutonomous Regional Government is now literallyjust a text away.

The Autonomous Region inMuslim Mindanao under theleadership of OIC- GovernorMujiv Hataman added anothermilestone to the history ofARMM with the launching of“ARMM TXT Hotline”yesterday morning, November8, 2012.

The ARMM TXT hotlineor 391- ARMM (2766) is a newmobile service that lets ARMMconstituents or the generalpublic to obtain informationabout activities, upcomingevents, and services in the regionusing Smart or Talk-and-Textmobile services.

“This is intended to caterto those who do not have accessto the internet yet have themobile phone,” said NorkhalilaMambuay- Campong, ARMMCabinet Secretary.

Services include access tothe latest news and happeningsand weather forecast in theregion.

 Aside from being aninformation provider, the textinghotline can also serve as areporting hotline where validconcerns, complaints andrequests can be directed to andbe given appropriate actionthereof.

 “It is your ARMMgovernment made moreaccessible,” added Mambuay-Campong.

For Globe and othernetwork users, the hotline willalso be made available to theirnetwork soon.

For news updates, ARMMconstituents can key- in ARMM(space) NEWS (e.g. ARMMNEWS) and then send to3912766.

 On the other hand, they canalso text the words WEATHER(space) name of the province

(e.g. WEATHER LANAO) andsend to the same number to getthe latest weather information andforecast.

For complaints, reports,inquiries and other importantconcerns related to the region, justtype (SHARE/ INQUIRE/COMMENT/ REPORT) (space)CONTENT OF YOURMESSAGE (space) (yourcomplete name and  email addressif available) and send to the hotlinenumber 3012766. (e.g. (REPORT)I would like to report thatthe Superintendent of Division IIIof Province Acollected unnecessary fees amongteachers. (AisahMoro, iamconcerned@email.com)

 For more informationregarding the ARMM TXTHotline, just visit the officialwebsite of theregion: www.armm.gov.ph.(ARMM CommGroup)

the ARMM come from theprovince of Maguindanao.

According to LaizaAlamia, director of theRegional Commission onHuman Rights, there is acorrelation between war anddisplacement and trafficking.

Alamia said record showsthat a number of displacedpersons ended up as victimsof human trafficking during the2008 conflict in Maguindanao.

She said traffickers takeadvantage of thevulnerabilities of people forcedin evacuation camps given thedeplorable conditions theyface. (ARMM Comm. Group)

HUMAN..

DOH reclassifies hospitalsand healthcare facilities

The Department of Health hasissued Administrative OrderNo. 2012-0012 reclassifyinghospitals and healthcarefacilities to ensure qualityservice for patients.

According to the DOH,hospitals are classified basedon their service capacities andcompliance with standards formanpower, equipment,construction and physicalactivities.

“It is of the essence thatthe actual situation be takeninto consideration in dealingwith the current classificationof hospitals and other healthfacilities,” the AO said.

Based on the “Survey ofthe Services and EquipmentAvailable in HospitalsNationwide” conducted bythe DOH last year, there is aneed to re-categorizehospitals.

“Partial survey resultsindicate variations in theservice characteristics ofhospitals not only among thedifferent categories but alsowithin the same category basedon the facilities and servicesthey provide,” the AO reads.

It cited for, instance, thatthe latest category of Level 1hospitals is not consistentwith Section 8 of Republic Act.No. 4226 (Hospital LicensureAct) on “Minimum Standardsand Construction of aHospital” which states in partthat “in order that a permit toconstruct a hospital can beissued, the hospital plan shallprovide sufficient bed spacefor hospital bed capacityproposed, a laboratory room,operating room, includingwork rooms for sterilization,anesthesia preparation, X-rayroom, pharmacy, dispensary or

out-patient department,delivery room, isolation room,autopsy room or morgue.” 

Under the presentclassification, provision ofsurgical and ancillary servicesis not required in Level 1facilities. 

“A new classification ofhospital and other healthfacilities becomes inevitablein compliance with statutoryrequirements and theemergence of new healthfacilities. The move aims toupgrade the services offeredin health facilities and comeup with a more homogeneouscategory for health facilitieswith similar services. 

The new classification ofhealth facilities will simplifylicensing systems andprocess and make theregulatory scheme moreeffective and efficient,” theAO stated. (PNA)

injured in the calamity whichthe villagers have been livingwith the past three years.

“We have not experienceheavy rain since Sunday,”Minalindang Aladin, aresident of Barangay Gangwhich is heavily flooded, toldreporters.

MAG...

“But when heavydownpour occur upstream inthe northern part ofMaugindanao we brace forfloods because we are thecatch basin here,” she said.

The Simuay river, whichemanates from the uptownsof Barira, Buldon andMatanog, had overflowedand the water spread toSultan Kudarat’s low lyingvillages.

The water subsided atnoon.

Acting ARMM GovernorMujiv Hataman has orderedthe region’s department ofsocial welfare anddevelopment to assist theaffected families who havestarted to return home to findout thick mud in their villagesand in their houses. (PNA) 

mean seamless interfacebetween each municipalityand the provincial capitol.

Aside from the realproperty and business taxcollection system, the localgovernment also availed ofPVB’s timekeeping andpayroll system, wherein allemployees are enrolled andissued with timekeepingidentification cards that alsoact as their payroll automatedteller machine or ATM cards.

The bank had installed aVeteran Teller ATM unit atthe provincial capitol andalso benefits from its depositpick-up and cash deliveryservices.

South Cotabato Gov.Arthur Pingoy Jr. said thenew system will mainlyprovide an automated orcomputerized real propertytax (RPT) assessment andcollection facility for theprovince.

As part of the system, hesaid, PVB, which is theprovincial government’sdepository bank, will serve ascollecting agent for local taxpayments.

In preparation for theinstallation of the newsystem, the office of theprovincial assessor directedthe province’s municipal andcity assessors to transmit alldata with regards to realproperty tax administration.

RPT or realty taxes in theprovince are presentlycollected by the provincial,municipal and city treasuryoffices in the area based onassessments made by theoffice of the provincialassessor.

The tax, a briefer noted,applies to all forms of realproperty such as land,building, improvements andmachinery.

Collections from the realproperty tax are shared withsmaller local governmentunits that compose aprovince or a city.(PNA)

SOUTH.

2

Chief Photographer

Layout Artist

Marzawan Avelino B. Acoymo Jr.

KOTA WATO EXPRESSPublished, edited and circulated every Monday in Cotabato City, Provinces of the Autonomous Region in MuslimMindanao (ARMM) and Central Mindanao (Region XII). Editorial and Business Office located at H-4 IsodoreStreet, Block 9, Notre Dame Village, Barangay Rosary Heights 8, Cotabato City. Entered as Second Class Mailat the Cotabato City Post Office. Telefax No. (064) 421-1670, e-mail address: vel_kotex11@yahoo.com

Mhohiden B. AcoymoChief Editor

Bayog B. AcoymoPublisher

ColumnistATTY. JESUS "JESS" DUREZA

Iskak L. PaguitalShamera B. AcoymoAtty. Rudy M. ChungDr. Lulu Marquez, MD

Bruce MatabalaoPrincess Joy M. Maulana

Rudy AprostaOmar Magoorsi

Marlon Peter DedumoAssociate Editor

Circulation in-Charge

Rogelio A. SantanderRhazol Acoymo

Avelino "Vel" M. AcoymoFounding Publisher

Ramadin Uday

Cartoonist

Geonarri Solmerano (Kidapawan City)

Isagani Palma (General Santos City and

Sarangani)

Jeoffrey Maitem (Koronadal City)

Nasser Felix Cambal(North Cotabato)

Dennis Arcon (Maguindanao)

Mindanao Bureaus Mark Navales

44444

AdvocacyMindaNOW

AdvocacyMindaNOW

Atty. Jesus "Jess" G. Dureza

EDITORIALEDITORIAL

Marketing Consultant

Rowella Berja Dayawan

Mike Suan

Contributors

OPINION NOVEMBER 13, 201244444

Business is watchingthe Bangsamoro landBy all accounts, the atmosphere of peace has finally settled in the many

areas of conflicts in Mindanao. There is a perceptible awakening that is

drum beaten by the people across the land in celebration of the dawning

of peace which they had yearned for. If the rebels are weary and the soldiers

exhausted those who dwell  in the many embattled communities  have seen

the futility of a struggle that is going to nowhere but perdition. The future

of the new generation of young Filipino Muslims, Christians and Lumads

has been sequestered by secessionist conflicts, terrorism and banditry.

There was a time when the government responded to the demands for

autonomy but when it was granted it was quickly wasted. Nothing comes

close to the dream of a progressive and developed autonomous region.

Instead a slew of unmitigated corruption banished that dream leaving a

legacy of depravity and institutionalized venality never ever thought of by

their forebears. The fiefdoms that the leaders of the autonomous

government ought to have dismantled as these deterred the spirit of the

youths to excel only became more dominant as they assembled their own

arsenals using stolen assets from the government including its coffers.

The mania for power and wealth becomes uncontainable that when there

was an attempt to temper this they went on a rampage leaving a specter of

helpless disemboweled victims of ghastly massacre.

That regime had been effectively ended and it is good that in the interim

a more dedicated set of leaders is now in place in the autonomous region

to correct the mistakes in the past failed governance. But what is more

promising in the upcoming is the establishment of a better structured

government in the envisioned  Bangsamoro land that would open a new

era of hope, progress and development under the aegis of a stable and

meaningful peace. This is not difficult to achieve if all of us within and out

of the Bangsamoro land will pledge to support the strategies and

mechanisms that would realize this.

What is awe inspiring for now  is that achieving reconciliation and peace

accord is not after all a difficult task. Presently hands are reaching out in

many nooks and corners of the conflict areas in the autonomous region

demonstrating the capability and earnestness of the people in the region

to work for peace. The only elements that are against truce and return of

normalcy are the criminal syndicates to include the dwindling Jemaah

Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf terrorist groups. But they are a feeble force

now. But they still can inflict harm. Yet, for as long as the Moro Islamic Liberation

Front will deprive them of convenient asylums and assist the government forces to

eliminate them these lawless elements can easily be neutralized.

The political and legal processes for the establishment the Bangsamoro land

may take some time, but the matrix of peace and reconciliation could already be

advanced. Investors and businessmen outside of the region are watching and listening.

Where they see that they are safe and their investments will not go for naught, we

are certain that they will come marching in with their resources. After all they knew

what are spelled out in the Framework Agreement. There is enough guarantees in

that Framework that for as long as they see people in the region committed

to peace they will not wait for the formalities that are characteristic of

legal procedures. Let us face it, if it takes the MILF and the government to

forge peace and finally seal the creation of a Bangsamoro land it will

likewise take some time to make development projects gel. So why wait

if the atmosphere of peace had settled.

Who’s afraid of open pit mining?  (Editor’s note: This is the 4th report of Times Publisher Jess Dureza dispatched from Vancouver,

Canada in the course of his mine visits with a multi sectoral group upon invitation by Xstrata Inc.whose Sagittarius Mines, Inc. will operate the Tampakan copper and gold project.)

             Canada, one of the most developed countries in the world and whose prime City of Vancouver in

the province of British Columbia was globally chosen recently as the “ Most Livable City in theWorld”, is also home to giant mining companies, mostly using the open pit mining method.

The two mines which I recently visited, Xstrata, Inc.’s   BRENDA MINES which had long beenclosed for 22 years and located in Kelowna, Okanagan Valley and   HIGHLANDS VALLEY COPPERMINES, in Kamloops, British Columbia adhered to rigorous world-class standards in “mitigating”the ecological impact of mining. Both use the open pit mining method.

Quite interesting is the fact that Canadian companies are expected by their home government toadhere to those best practices in their business operations even if their mines are outside ofCanada.          Canadian TVI Pacific, Inc. whose Philippine affiliate, TVI Resource Development(Phil.) Inc.  is operating the Canatuan gold/copper mine in the Zamboanga Peninsula is one  example.          

Aside from government regulations and world-class best practices, investors  serve as guardianstoo . Publicly  listed mining companies,       whose shares are sold in stock markets especiallyabroad , are also sensitive to issues of environment degradation and ecological damage by companiesthey invest in.  A serious breach could cause their stock prices to tumble  down. Due diligenceindeed makes  good business sense.

 MINERALIZATION —— Experts tell us that precious metals or minerals are made over a spanof  over a million years,  coming from the vowels of the earth usually by  the tremendous pressurecaused by  movement of the earth’s crust. My geologist friends told  me THAT  is the plausiblereason why areas are highly mineralized, especially  if they are  situated   in the so-called “Ring ofFire” in the world.  The Philippines sits within that imaginary “ring”.  There are earth  fissures,which separate so-called plates or  ”faults” that  periodically move or “readjust”  triggeringearthquakes. These phenomena are responsible for the existence of   precious minerals. Of courseit’s more complicated than that but that ‘s the simplest way to explain “Mineralization”.

Hence, big mining companies factor in the fact that they may be  situated near “fault” areas. Forinstance, I was told  they collect data of earthquakes over  a thousand years in the area (or was thatmore? )  and build their facilities like tailings dams to withstand the strongest earthquake everrecorded within the  vicinity.

HORROR STORIES —— Let’s face it. Mining no doubt  ”disturbs” the environment andposes hazards  — whether open pit or underground. It  leaves behind what is referred to as “miningfootprints” . Examples are hectares wide of gaping holes on the ground of  open pits when the minecloses down after the lapse of its  mine life. Or hectares of barren land from filled up “tailings dams”containing dried  up sandy materials as residues.     It is also an extractive activity that depletesfinite  mineral resources that Mother Nature provides for the benefit of human kind.

Mining’s past history is replete with horror stories. It was in the previous  past  that big  miningcompanies dump their  mining wastes called “tailings” laden with harmful and toxic substances into the seabeds or rivers. Or just piled them  up on mountaintops  that pollute the waterways andeventually the downstream inhabitants  when rains came.  The use of mercury, cyanide and otherdangerous substances  in extracting gold, copper or other precious minerals  brought devastatingeffects on the environment and the people.  So-called legacy mines of past  periods spoke ofhorrible tales of indiscriminate mining operations where mining companies did not look back at theenvironmental carnage they caused.

 WORLD CLASS —No, not anymore for those big, world- class mining giants. (Sorry, I  amNOT  referring to others like illegal miners and small scale ones whose operations up to now defygovernment and basic laws and regulations.)   The rules of the game have radically changed. Today, mining companies like HIGHLANDS VALLEY  COPPER, which I visited , for instance,   isusing  the  ”flotation” process (using water) to separate copper from the ore. It constructed “tailings dams “  where its wastes are dumped for eternity using world -class methods of constructionand monitoring and remedial measures to protect mankind and its environment  from tragedy. Thereare rehabilitation funds or bonds reserved just in case of worst case scenarios to insure damages inthe future when “ force majeurs” or “acts of  God” do happen.(No, I don’t mean blaming God if theydo happen.!)

MY EXPERIENCE — Some  of what I saw  in my Canadian trip may be worth telling. I personallysaw their big, gawking  open pit mines, which were installed with sensors to monitor groundmovements  in their pits. I personally saw how they extracted ores in tiered “benches” like riceterraces or giant stairways going downwards into the earth, excavating earth with precision andcalibration as to minimize geologic damage to the big hole that would be left behind.     I saw theirtailings dams, both active and closed, and the rigors of maintaining and monitoring them, like conducting water tests and   maintaining “leak  ponds”  all around so seeping waters were testedbefore they were released to the waterways. I personally saw how they continued to restore  the“disturbed” areas, even 22 long years after the mine had closed, like Brenda Mines. I was surprisedto hear Xstrata, Inc.’s  people at the site even saying that  the company  would continue to stay “indefinitely”   on site as if rehabilitation  work of the mine “footprint” was   never ending.  I  wish Icould mention all of what I saw  here and now. Maybe the rest at another time.

MINING ACT OF 1995 — In our case in the Philippines, the new Mining Act was passed onlyin 1995. Beginning that year,  stringent  requirements and strict rules are required of miningcompanies. There are credible reviews that said  that our relatively new miming law is of world-class standard. Unfortunately, we have yet to see a mining company in the country  that will be compliantespecially with the requirements  of decommissioning, mine closure and the rehabilitation andmitigating measures on the “footprint” left,  not to mention the sustainability issues that impact onthe community when the mine closes. I think   this is the main reason why the Filipino public is verysuspicious — and fearful— when we talk of mining , more so with open pit mining. Sadly  for us,those devastations due to loose rules and shabby implementation of the past  will still haunt usinto the future. But fortunately,  new players, like the Tampakan project  will have to go by the newrules. Good for us.

SAME TECHNOLOGY —In the case of Xstrata, Inc., the same experts that handled HIGHLANDS VALLEY MINES and BRENDA MINES that I visited were also hired to handle  itsproposed open pit mining operations in Tampakan. I’m sure they’ll use the same technology too.The   KLOHN CRIPPEN BERGER (KCB) is a global expert in this work. I talked with their team ofexperts which joined as in our mine site visits and briefings.

 HIGHLANDS had been in operation since 1960 or for about 60 years now. BRENDA had beenoperating for 20 years and had been closed for 22 years now. Both of them are handled by KCB,using the same technology, expertise and knowhow in dealing with the environment  challengesfacing the mining industry.

When I asked a KCG official if there was any major  leak or a tailings dam collapse or an open pitmining serious  incident  over the past 60 years or so, he  vigorously shook his head.  But again, due diligence is never ending.

As a matter of fact, I was told some KCG experts  are  flying to the Philippines to look into  thecurrent “leak” problem at the  Philex Mining operations in PADCAL MINES.

CLEAR THOSE DOUBTS  ——My visit to the Canadian mine sites during the week assuageda lot of my own apprehensions and cleared some doubts about the doomsday scenarios that someanti mining proponents say about open pit mining. I wish that they too take time out to visit somemining companies sites, even in the Philippines,  so they can get some answers for their questions.

          At the end of the day, the question of whether or not mining is good for all of us,needlessly begs the answer: those minerals are God’s gifts to be used for man’s needs. How tomitigate the negative effects of mining and how to utilize these finite and exhaustible resources toimprove the lives of the community and to ensure a better future for all are the imponderables that should matter.

  So, who’s afraid of open pit mining? Definitely, NOT me!

3

View PointView PointJuan L. Mercado

55555OPINION

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ISKAK L. PAGUITAL, CSEE

The high value crops industry development road map formulation for the

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao held recently in Cotabato City is just one

of the activities aimed at accelerating the regional economic growth rate. The recently

installed Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Regional Secretary Engr. Maritess

K. Maguindra, CEO VI said so even as she pointed out the need to adapt clustering

and value chain models for the regional economy to grow more competitively.

Since the ARMM economy depends heavily on the primary sector consisting of

agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, the current regional government has initiated concrete

courses of action to accelerate productivity, particularly of the agriculture sector.

Agriculture and fishery products, along with forest products, account for about 60%

of ARMM’s Gross Regional Domestic Products (GRDP).

A study funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reveals

that “Since the ARMM economy is dependent more on primary industry, the

local industry promotion led by primary industry can have a large impact

effectively on economic development in the ARMM. The average annual

growth rate of GRDP in the region has been about 1% lower than the country

and overall Mindanao. To fill the gap between the ARMM and other regions

in economic growth, it needs to sustain the average annual growth rate of at

least 4.5% or higher. Based on the growth trends by sector and by region, it

can be said that the ARMM has to achieve the annual growth of around 7%

or higher in primary industry to maintain the overall regional economic

competitiveness with others.”

The region’s agriculture sector is characterized by production of rice, corn, cassava,

banana, coconut, coffee, rubber, oil palm, abaca, and some fruits like mangosteen,

durian and lanzones.

In the production of palay, the region is ranked 9th among the 16 regions of the

country accounting for 3.6% of the total national output. In 2009, the total area

harvested in the region was 204,760 ha, and the total volume of palay production

was 576,747 tons.

On corn production, ARMM ranked fourth among the corn producing regions

with 332,065 ha of corn in 2009. Although the area decreased slightly from 334,482

ha in 1999, the production increased by 38.5% from 685,987 tons in 1999 to 950,429

tons in 2009.

Cassava is also a staple food, along with rice, for people in island provinces of

Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. In Lanao del Sur it is produced for starch and animal

feeds. The region is ranked 1st in the Philippines in the production of cassava with a

land area of 94,071 ha in 2009.

The ARMM ranks 5th in the country in both harvested area and volume of

production of abaca,

comprising about 6% of the total national harvested area, and about 7% of the

total volume of production. Sulu has the largest harvested area and production volume,

followed by Lanao del

Sur. Sulu abaca fiber is known for its superior strength and fiber length. Considering

the growing market for abaca, the JICA study result recommends the development of

the fiber commodity to reverse its declining growth rate of minus 1.0% from 1999 to

2008.

Of the country’s total banana production, 80% comes from Mindanao. The region

accounted for about 7% of the total banana harvest area and about 4% of the

production volume in the Philippines. In the same period it shows steady upturn with

2.0% annual growth rate as more areas are being opened up for banana in Maguindanao

and Lanao del Sur.

The ARMM contributed about 9% of the total area harvested and about 8% of

the total production volume of coconut in the country. In the region, Maguindanao is

the largest producer of coconuts, followed by Basilan, Sulu, and Lanao del Sur. Coconut

shows growth of 2.1%.

In terms of coffee production, the region accounts for about 11% of both the total

area harvested and the volume of production in the country. In the region, Maguindanao

has the largest land area planted to coffee, mostly Robusta. But Sulu has a larger

production volume than Maguindanao. The growth rate for coffee remains stagnant

with slight increase of production.

The ARMM rubber cultivation area accounts for about 10% of the total national

production area. Basilan has the largest share in the region, comprising more than

95% of the total rubber cultivation area. Rubber production grows with a high rate of

5.4%. (more next issue)

Revving Up Agricultural ProductivityThose pesky proverbsDo  Imelda Marcos and Ferdinand Jr. use  the same dictionary ordinary

Filipinos  work by?  Read  the senator’s  delayed reaction to  the $354-million contemptjudgment,  slammed  by  US Court of Appeals ( 9th circuit ) against  them.

With  Mama, “it is my duty to administer the estate’s assets properly”, hesaid  Marcoses   would be  decisive, when this case is “ filed in the proper court.  (We’ve ) always wanted closure to  issues of ill-gotten wealth and human rightsviolations…Our  family also wants the country to move forward…But ( we’d )would  like to see the process done according to law.” 

Ti aramid  ti mangipakita ti kina siasinom, an Ilocano proverb says. “Deeds tellwho you are”.  

The Marcoses tried  to secretly ship out of the  US ,  paintings and other artworks,from the contested holdings for a  25 percent tax free share, the court found. That  wouldsandbag   an injunction against  tapping  estate assets while the jury deliberated.

“Contumacious conduct”, the  US  magistrate fumed.. It  ”caused direct harm”  tomartial law victims  The court whacked  the Marcoses with  a daily fine of $100,000dollars, When the contempt order  expired,  the tab totaled $353.6  million.  

 Peanuts  for the Marcoses?  Yet, it could  wrest for this penalty a Book of GuinnessRecord slot.  If so, it’d  be a homecoming  of sorts for Imelda. Until the early 1990s,she and Ferdinand Sr. were a yearly feature in the Guinness section on  theft.  

 Ban bannog ti agdil-dillaw, no cadcadduan ti agtactacaw,  an Ilocano maximsays. Would  Ferdinand Jr  please help citizens who can not follow.. “It is useless tocriticize if your companion is the thief.”

 And  theft on a grand scale is what the unanimous  Supreme Court  decision of  July2003 was  all about.( G.R. No. 152154 ) It directed that Marcos secret Swiss deposits,amounting  US$658,175,373, be  ”forfeited in favor of petitioner Republic of thePhilippines”.   

 The Swiss government  earlier returned the loot. Until that  decision,  PhilippineNational Bank, held the boodle in escrow. Imelda, Imee Marcos-Manotoc, Irene MarcosAraneta  and Bongbong   tried  —-  but  failed — to add  that to their  fortunes. 

 Imelda is Waray and may not be  familiar with the Ilocano adage.  Ti cuarta isu tinaimbag nga agservi, negm dakes nga mangiturong.  ”Money is a good servantbut a bad master.”

Imelda  earlier this year bitterly complained  she’d been robbed. “The PresidentialCommission on Good Government stole my jewels. They should return them, insteadof displaying them  in a National Musuem  exhibit,” before the Aquino governmentauctions them off..

The lady wailed  about  three batches of confiscated  gems: ( a) the MalacañangCollection; ( b ) the “Honolulu Batch and ( c ) the Roumeliotes Set”.

People Power demonstrators stumbled across 300 gems in  Malacanang closets,hours after the Marcoses scrambled aboard Chinook escape helicopters. In  Honolulu, the Marcoses  kept  what they declared: bearer bonds, cash etc. But US customsdidn’t look the other way with 278 crates of art, P27.7 million in newly minted currency.There were over   400 jewels stashed among gold bars, wrapped in diaper bags.

Half a world away, Philippine authorities nailed Greek national Demetriou Roumelioteswhen he tried to smuggle out 60 gems,. A 37 carat diamond, crafted by Bulgari, .iscenterpiece. “They were inside a package addressed to Imelda Marcos when seized, “Arab News reported..

Roumeliotes denied ownership, and  later said they were fakes. Nonsene,thereputable  auction  houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s,  snapped.. Imelda agreed. .”Thejewelry was taken out of Malacañang presidential palace without knowledge, muchless ( with my ) consent,  between Feb. 26 and Feb. 27, 1986,”she said in a courtpetition .

The Malacañang Collection and the Roumeliotes Set  are in Central Bank vaultstoday. “These are all mine,” she stressed.  What about  the “ Honolulu  Batch’?  Imelda  ”signed an agreement, with the  US  government in 1991, giving up the  jewels. In exchange, two racketeering cases against her in Honolulu were dropped, “ArabNews added..  

As public officials —— Ferdinand Sr  was president  and Madame  Minister ofHuman Settlements – were of modest means. At least, that was what their income taxreports claimed, the Supreme Court  noted .  

 FM’s  networth was aP120,000.00 in December, 1965. Between  1965 to 1984,Marcoses reported  joint income of  P16,408,442.  Official  salaraies  accounted for16 percent, farm  income  9 percent  others: 15 percent. .Legal  practice  crested ata  whooping 68 percent.

“There is nothing on record  (of ) any known Marcos client as he had no knownlaw office. He was  barred by law from practicing his law profession during his entirepresidency. “Incredibly, he was still receiving payments almost 20 years after.  Thereare no withholding tax certificates... The joint income tax returns of FM and Imeldacannot, therefore, conceal the skeletons of their kleptocracy”  

The Court followed the money trail to shell foundations.  In June 1971, Marcos Srordered establish the Azio Foundation. He ”executed a power of attorney in favor ofRoberto S. Benedicto. Azio morphed into Verso Foundation which was liquidated. 

Then, came  Xandy-Wintrop, followed by  Charis-Scolari, Valamo, Spinus  Avertina,etc, etc. They hid wealth “under layers of foundations. Marcos spouses were mainbeneficiaries. Imee, Ferdinand, Jr. and Irene  are equal third beneficiaries.

Uray ti bulsek makitana ti kuawarta, Don’t bother Junior for a translation..“Proverbs” by Damiana Eugenio ( UP Press 2002)  provides one:. “”With money, eventhe blind can see”. (Email: juan_mercado77@yahoo.com )

NOVEMBER 13, 2012

KOTAWATO EXPRESSKOTAWATO EXPRESSArmy commander invites MILF to

visit Army camp for coffee, basketballCAMP SIONGCO,Maguindanao-The newlyinstalled Army divisioncommander recently invitedthe leaders of the MoroIslamic Liberation Front(MILF) to set foot in the 6thInfantry Division to prove themilitary is supporting theMindanao peace process.

Major Gen. Ceasar RonnieOrdoyo, who assumedWednesday as 6th ID chiefreplacing Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo,said MILF leaders can comeand see us here.

“They (MILF leaders) arewelcome here, we can havebreakfast, we can have dinnerand we can play basketball ifthey want,” Ordoyo said,addressing his invitation toMILF chieftain Al Haj MuradEbrahim.

“This is our gesture ofreconciliation and expressionof support to the desire of theBangsamoro people toestablish peace which yourArmy is also pursuing,” headded.

“It’s a welcomedevelopment,” Von Al Haq,MILF spokesperson formilitary affairs, said when he

learned about the Army offer.“We dream of seeing our

fighters sitting side by sideand play basketball gameswith Philippine soldiers,” headded.

“Because if that happens,indeed peace is in our midst,”he said in the vernacular.

“Soon it will happen,definitely because wewelcome gestures like that,”Al Haq said.

Ordoyo said because ofthe military’s all out supportto the GRP-MILF peaceprocess, there have been zeroArmy-MILF encounter sinceJanuary this year.

He vowed to pursue thepeace initiatives of Ardowhich resulted in the zeroskirmishes in Mindanao.

“Our mandate from higherheadquarters is tocomplement the government’s

ARMY/P3

ARMM heightens campaignARMM heightens campaignARMM heightens campaignARMM heightens campaignARMM heightens campaignagainst human traffickingagainst human traffickingagainst human traffickingagainst human traffickingagainst human trafficking

Zamboanga City - TheAutonomous Region inMuslim Mindanao (ARMM)Council Against Trafficking(ACAT) has finalized a set ofactions to combat humantrafficking in the region.

ACAT is headed by theoffice of the ARMMgovernor and composed ofdifferent ARMM agenciesand other government andnon-government partners.

Lawyer Anwar Malang,ARMM executive secretary,said a strategic planspecifying actions to addressdifferent facets of humantrafficking in the region hasbeen adopted by the ACATfollowing the signing of theexecutive order formallycreating it.

Malang said that withARMM Officer-in-ChargeGovernor Mujiv Hataman atthe helm, the council has afirm mandate.

Culpable individuals willface the full force of the lawand victims will get theassistance they need, he said.

The ACAT was formed in

response to the highincidence of humantrafficking in the ARMM. Inaddition to being home tosome of the mostsusceptible groups such aswomen and children inconflict, ARMM has underits jurisdiction a leadingjump-off point to humantraffickers – the islands ofTawi-Tawi, which longserves as backdoor entry toSabah, Malaysia.

The Inter-AgencyCouncil Against Trafficking(IACAT), the nationalcounterpart of ACAT,reported that as of Augustthis year, 157 of the 850repatriated Filipino migrantworkers come from theARMM.  

Malang said the councilwill coordinate, monitor andoversee actions intendednot only to stop humantrafficking and prosecuteviolators but also helpvictims get rehabilitated andregain a healthy life.

Majority of victims inHUMAN/P3

GPH's Technical Working Group (TWG) on Normalization

L-R: Atty. Jesus Doque of the Dept. of Interior and Local Government, Fiscal Susan Dacanay of the Dept. of Justice, Office of thePresidential Adviser on the Peace Process Usec. Luisito Montalbo, National Security Council Usec. Zen Brosas, OPAPP ConsultantProf. Jennifer Oreta, senior military adviser Brig. Gen. Leo Ferrer, Lt. Col. Haroun Al-Rashid Jaji and Lt. Col. Francisco FelicidarioIII from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

13th Year Founding Anniversary Of 2nd Mechanized Infantry (Makasag) Battalion Light Armor Div. Phil. Army Brgy. Kabingi,Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Nov.8, 2012.In the photo, Col.Edgar Gonzales, Brigade Commander of the 1stMechanized Brigade as Guest of Honor & Speaker,2nd Mechanized Batcom Ltc Sydney Atega, Mag. DepGov SamsudinDimaukom, Datu Piang Mayor Genuine Kamaong & Guindulungan Mayor Rene Midtimbang. (Ella Dayawan/Harris Ma)

South Cotabato to pilot testSouth Cotabato to pilot testSouth Cotabato to pilot testSouth Cotabato to pilot testSouth Cotabato to pilot testnew propernew propernew propernew propernew propertttttyyyyy, business, business, business, business, business

tax collection systemtax collection systemtax collection systemtax collection systemtax collection systemGENERAL SANTOS CITY-Government-owned andcontrolled Philippine VeteransBank (PVB) and the provincialgovernment of SouthCotabato will unveil nextmonth a new property andbusiness tax collection systemthat is seen to further perk upthe revenue generationinitiatives in the area.

Engr. Robert Deanon,acting South Cotabatoprovincial assessor, saidTuesday they will start inDecember the pilot testing ofthe new system in Surallahtown based on an agreementearlier signed by the localgovernment with PVB.

“We’re currentlystudying the system’simplementation andspecifically determiningwhether it is workable or not,”he said in a radio interview.

Deanon said the pilottesting of the system by themunicipal government of

Surallah will help them decidelater on if it would be fullyadopted by the provincialgovernment and the nineother municipal governmentsin the province.

Based on thememorandum of agreement(MOA) signed in June by theprovincial government andthe PVB, the province’s 10municipalities would adoptthe single property andbusiness tax collectionsystem developed by thebank.

“The new system willautomate real property andbusiness tax collectionsoperations therebyenhancing the delivery ofsuch services to eachmunicipality’s constituents,”PVB said in a statement.

It said that since theprovincial government wouldalso be using the same taxcollection system, it would

SOUTH/P3

Motorcycle riders from Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City and other parts of Mindanao went on a Freedom tour and madea stop-over in Cotabato City and the ARMM Regional Office. The group led by Jondy Lacson of KTM Ducati was receivedby members of the Canari Motorcycle Club based in Cotabato City led by its president Danny Moson. (Contributed Photo)